President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
